Travel through time with Klein Constantia Vin de Constance , a legendary wine that has captivated some of history's most influential rulers and minds. From Frederick the Great to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, from George Washington to John Adams, and even Napoleon Bonaparte, who had cases delivered during his exile, this South African nectar remains an emblem of refinement and enduring elegance. Since the 18th century, it has held a unique place in the world's heritage of fine sweet wines.
Its name, shrouded in mystery, is the subject of numerous legends: could it be a tribute to Governor Van der Stel's wife, to the ship Constantia, or to the idea of perseverance evoked by the Latin word constantia ? Whatever the reason, its identity rests on a single variety, Muscat de Frontignan . The berries, harvested at different stages of ripeness and then naturally dried on the vine, concentrate their sugars under the action of the sun and wind. Sorted entirely by hand, they are then cold-macerated for nearly two weeks before being gently pressed. Each batch is vinified separately in 500-liter barrels, with a slow fermentation that stops naturally after 6 to 12 months, without any intervention.
After fermentation, Vin de Constance undergoes a patient aging process of at least three years on its lees in a blend of French and Hungarian oak and acacia, without racking or disturbance until the final blending. This meticulous work, carried out alongside renowned tasters such as South African sommeliers and French winemaking partners from Bordeaux and Sancerre, yields a wine of rare intensity, capable of enduring through the centuries without losing its freshness. Its iconic bottle, unchanged since the 19th century, testifies to an untarnished heritage: that of a wine which embodies history, patience, and the absolute pursuit of perfection. This wine reveals notes of candied fruit , dried apricot , orange peel , quince , pear purée , roasted pineapple , white rose, acacia honey, and sweet spices . On the palate, it is distinguished by a smooth and enveloping texture, an acidity that perfectly balances the sweetness, and a long, elegant, and slightly saline finish reminiscent of its maritime origins. An exceptional dessert wine, luminous and remarkably refined.
